Friday, December 18, 2009
The Strangeness of Beauty
I'm reading The Strangeness of Beauty by Lydia Minatoya. It is a Japanese-American literary novel. I am loving the international-type literature lately. It always has the most interesting stories and cultural facts, I think. This book has a scene where the Japanese are leaving for America on a boat. They have a long roll of paper that they throw down to their parents, holding onto the end so that the paper unrolls between them... until it runs out. She described it so much better than me, but it was such a beautiful image! And there are so many other beautiful Japanese traditions and cultural things that make it so interesting to me. It doesn't really have an obvious plot--it just kind of flows along. But I really like that it isn't throwing some major conflict/resolution stuff at me. It is just how life is. She is describing a life. I really like that. I think there is a lot of wisdom in this book too. For example, "I have noticed that when people tell their own stories, often it has less to do with wanting to communicate an idea to another than with clarifying an emotion for themselves." Isn't she right? Anyway, I would recommend this book, obviously. Yay for being done with finals!!! yay for fun reading!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas Tradition
We have a tree!
It has presents around it now though.
Raimo and I did one of our Christmas traditions last night--went ice skating at the Gallivan Center. The funny thing is, Raimo was the only one who skated. And he only got to circle the rink about 4 or 5 times. He looked great though, see?
We went to Hire's before, also part of the tradition. I got a rueben. OMG so good. Anyway, it took a long time to get our food. And we didn't realize the rink closes at 9 pm mid-week and we got there at 8:55. So... I was okay with that. Luckily Raimo has his own skates so I told him to pop em on for a few minutes. It still counts as following the tradition.
Then we went and looked at lights around Temple Square. They were beautiful. There were also a lot of blue lights on the trees in Salt Lake that were cool. I think lights on trees are my favorite, especially red ones.
Also here's an update from last weekend:
He likes to dance for me.
I told Raimo to keep watching the road and I would take a picture. But he decided to look at the camera, and I am watching the road. That doesn't make any sense.
Trip to Vegas with our friends Ryan and Ana Maria. Fun weekend
My new car
It has presents around it now though.Raimo and I did one of our Christmas traditions last night--went ice skating at the Gallivan Center. The funny thing is, Raimo was the only one who skated. And he only got to circle the rink about 4 or 5 times. He looked great though, see?
We went to Hire's before, also part of the tradition. I got a rueben. OMG so good. Anyway, it took a long time to get our food. And we didn't realize the rink closes at 9 pm mid-week and we got there at 8:55. So... I was okay with that. Luckily Raimo has his own skates so I told him to pop em on for a few minutes. It still counts as following the tradition.
Then we went and looked at lights around Temple Square. They were beautiful. There were also a lot of blue lights on the trees in Salt Lake that were cool. I think lights on trees are my favorite, especially red ones.
Also here's an update from last weekend:
He likes to dance for me.
I told Raimo to keep watching the road and I would take a picture. But he decided to look at the camera, and I am watching the road. That doesn't make any sense.
Trip to Vegas with our friends Ryan and Ana Maria. Fun weekend
My new car
Monday, December 7, 2009
paper cutter
Some day I want a paper cutter. You know, when I have a craft room some day. I used one today and it was like a vision. I even cut cardboard on it. Wow! How much time have I wasted trying to cut in straight lines for projects or for scrapbooks when I could have a nifty thing to do it for me! I'm sure my professor will be impressed with all those clean lines.
Since I came home from Thanksgiving, some switch has been turned on in my brain and I have been going full-steam in my school work (complete shift from THIS post). Actually, I think there was no other option really, it being the end of the semester and all. We now have three more days of class left and then a week of finals. Crunch time. I had forgotten how good it feels to get so much done in one day. Don't get me wrong--I'm totally ready to return to my lazy senioritis state as soon as I knock out that last final!
It is just a pain! Especially walking everywhere. I always feel bad for all the shovelers all over campus. There is one nice thing about snow--it has this romantic thing that it does. It makes everything quiet. And I'm not talking about how quietly snow falls, although that is really amazing too. I like how it just muffles all the noise a little bit when it is still light and on the ground. It makes everything a little quieter and gives everything a little glow. I like how that feels.
BUT that doesn't make up for much!
I digress. Raimo is selling in it. See? He is so devoted. We got to spend the afternoon together in our now decorated apartment. It was fun--we just snuggled. He was just being so cute. Our Christmas lights inside make it seem so much more cheery.
Really, I don't need a paper cutter. I am so happy.
Since I came home from Thanksgiving, some switch has been turned on in my brain and I have been going full-steam in my school work (complete shift from THIS post). Actually, I think there was no other option really, it being the end of the semester and all. We now have three more days of class left and then a week of finals. Crunch time. I had forgotten how good it feels to get so much done in one day. Don't get me wrong--I'm totally ready to return to my lazy senioritis state as soon as I knock out that last final!
Brag time. Raimo has made so many sales. He really has! His team makes all these goals each month, and he always meets and exceeds them. His group made a team goal that they would sell a certain amount between August and November, and if they did they'd all get new flatscreens. When the rest of the team didn't appear to be as motivated, Raimo made a bet with his boss that he could make 50 % of the group's goal all by himself! He has until the end of next week, and he is really really close to that goal! At this point, I care less about the TV, though it would be nice. I'm just amazed at how it has pushed him and how motivated he has been. I have seen a new side of my husband--a real determined side. Let's see what else it has won him this semester:
With which he bought...
Wow. Tonight he is out door-to-door in the snow, bless his heart. I hate snow. Without fail, it always ends up looking like this:
With which he bought...
It is just a pain! Especially walking everywhere. I always feel bad for all the shovelers all over campus. There is one nice thing about snow--it has this romantic thing that it does. It makes everything quiet. And I'm not talking about how quietly snow falls, although that is really amazing too. I like how it just muffles all the noise a little bit when it is still light and on the ground. It makes everything a little quieter and gives everything a little glow. I like how that feels.BUT that doesn't make up for much!
I digress. Raimo is selling in it. See? He is so devoted. We got to spend the afternoon together in our now decorated apartment. It was fun--we just snuggled. He was just being so cute. Our Christmas lights inside make it seem so much more cheery.
Really, I don't need a paper cutter. I am so happy.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
pictures
Who is this man in my house?
Sad that my house is messy
Painted pumpkins this year
Dad and his bunny
Raimo drove the whole way to Vegas with his eyes closed!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
To Dad
Today is my Dad's birthday. There are certain qualities that come to mind when I think of my dad:
- Number one is hardworking. I have never seen my dad spend a day being lazy. He is always doing something, whether it's working around the house or the yard, helping my mom, running errands, taking care of finances, taking care of the business, driving back and forth to Pasadena day in the wee hours of morning, saving people's lives, doing his church callings, and doing things with the family.
That about sums up my dad's daily life! He never thinks about himself--he is a real hero because of it. He has a very realistic outlook on life and has taught me the value of work and righteous living by his example.
- My dad takes great care of our family and of my mom in particular. He knows what she needs to be happy and he does his best to follow through with those things. I am glad he is that kind of spouse. I looked for and found that quality in my own husband and I feel loved every single day. More than that, it feels good to know my dad loves my mom more than anything. There is nothing more reassuring than to know that your parents love each other so much and love you too.
- Another role my dad has played in my life is peacemaker and a teacher. There have been many times when I have been stubborn (me?) or really angry about something, and my dad talked to me in private about it and tried to help me see to reason. He helped me learn to say I'm sorry and to forgive, something that really didn't come easy to me when I felt that I was not in the wrong. He taught me that being right is not the most important thing in some cases. My dad is a great example of forgiveness--he does it all the time maybe without even knowing it. He can get frustrated like anyone, but I have seen him demonstrate amazing patience and forgiveness. Most importantly, my dad always reassured me that I was doing okay and told me he loved me. He probably had no idea how much that meant to me whenever I was having a hard time.
- My dad has also been an example of prudence and management. My dad is not in any way materialistic--something that I have to work on daily! There are very few things that he seems to value highly--and "things" are not really in that category. He cares about the important things like the gospel and family. (But thank you though for paying outrageous sums for me to do cheerleading and the other thousand extracurricular activities. It did wonders for my confidence and gave me a really rich life). But I learned by example that possessions and money and "things" are just the extras--that they are not what matter in life.
- My dad is just cool because he is a fireman. This is where he currently works.
.(if that is not the station, it looks a lot like it)
I know he has inspired a lot of the young men in our ward and boys he taught as scouts. Lots of boys became firemen like him like Darren Fay and David Jones. I know there are others. He is really good at what he does, and he influences a lot of people's lives both in his job and outside it.
-I love you, Dad! Hope you had a great birthday!
- Number one is hardworking. I have never seen my dad spend a day being lazy. He is always doing something, whether it's working around the house or the yard, helping my mom, running errands, taking care of finances, taking care of the business, driving back and forth to Pasadena day in the wee hours of morning, saving people's lives, doing his church callings, and doing things with the family.
That about sums up my dad's daily life! He never thinks about himself--he is a real hero because of it. He has a very realistic outlook on life and has taught me the value of work and righteous living by his example.- My dad takes great care of our family and of my mom in particular. He knows what she needs to be happy and he does his best to follow through with those things. I am glad he is that kind of spouse. I looked for and found that quality in my own husband and I feel loved every single day. More than that, it feels good to know my dad loves my mom more than anything. There is nothing more reassuring than to know that your parents love each other so much and love you too.
- Another role my dad has played in my life is peacemaker and a teacher. There have been many times when I have been stubborn (me?) or really angry about something, and my dad talked to me in private about it and tried to help me see to reason. He helped me learn to say I'm sorry and to forgive, something that really didn't come easy to me when I felt that I was not in the wrong. He taught me that being right is not the most important thing in some cases. My dad is a great example of forgiveness--he does it all the time maybe without even knowing it. He can get frustrated like anyone, but I have seen him demonstrate amazing patience and forgiveness. Most importantly, my dad always reassured me that I was doing okay and told me he loved me. He probably had no idea how much that meant to me whenever I was having a hard time.
- My dad has also been an example of prudence and management. My dad is not in any way materialistic--something that I have to work on daily! There are very few things that he seems to value highly--and "things" are not really in that category. He cares about the important things like the gospel and family. (But thank you though for paying outrageous sums for me to do cheerleading and the other thousand extracurricular activities. It did wonders for my confidence and gave me a really rich life). But I learned by example that possessions and money and "things" are just the extras--that they are not what matter in life.
- My dad is just cool because he is a fireman. This is where he currently works.
.(if that is not the station, it looks a lot like it)I know he has inspired a lot of the young men in our ward and boys he taught as scouts. Lots of boys became firemen like him like Darren Fay and David Jones. I know there are others. He is really good at what he does, and he influences a lot of people's lives both in his job and outside it.
-I love you, Dad! Hope you had a great birthday!
Monday, November 9, 2009
I'm complaining
So I have senioritis BAD! I am so bored with school, not that my classes are so boring, but I feel like I've gone over all of this stuff before! So much American literature, so much creative writing. I'm so done with it right now! Not to mention life is just so busy. We have our BYU competition this weekend--it is always a scary one because we're competing against all our talented friends here. I am excited to have new costumes though!! yay!
Other exciting news is that we redecorated our apartment. Actually, we just got a new bookshelf, but we rearranged the whole room and it looks totally different! It feels cozier and I like it.
Tired of work. It seems so pointless sometimes. I am making 30% of what Raimo makes, and he spends a lot less time working! Maybe I will become an entrepreneur. Probably not.
Haven't been to the grocery store, haven't really gotten dressed (wore pajama shirt all day today because I woke up late), haven't picked up the house, haven't done any homework, and have no plans to do any of these things because tomorrow I work 6 am-8 am, practice 8-9, go to class 10-11, work 11-1, class 1-2, work 2-4, EAT 4-5, work 5-7, choir rehearsal 7-9, crash 10 pm. Yes, I have 4 shifts at work tomorrow. That's excessive. My fault entirely.
I will try to post some pictures soon like a good blogger.
I want a vacation!
Other exciting news is that we redecorated our apartment. Actually, we just got a new bookshelf, but we rearranged the whole room and it looks totally different! It feels cozier and I like it.
Tired of work. It seems so pointless sometimes. I am making 30% of what Raimo makes, and he spends a lot less time working! Maybe I will become an entrepreneur. Probably not.
Haven't been to the grocery store, haven't really gotten dressed (wore pajama shirt all day today because I woke up late), haven't picked up the house, haven't done any homework, and have no plans to do any of these things because tomorrow I work 6 am-8 am, practice 8-9, go to class 10-11, work 11-1, class 1-2, work 2-4, EAT 4-5, work 5-7, choir rehearsal 7-9, crash 10 pm. Yes, I have 4 shifts at work tomorrow. That's excessive. My fault entirely.
I will try to post some pictures soon like a good blogger.
I want a vacation!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Another week goes on by.
The leaves have changed their colors here in P-town. guess what I'm giving Jess a run for her money, we both competed this past weekend. We were so tired. But it turned out all right. Jessica took 3rd in Pre champ, and I took 2nd. Right after that exhausting 4 rounds of dancing cha cha, samba, & Rumba; we then competed in the amateur title which made us dance cha cha, samba, rumba, and the Paso doble. luckily there were only two rounds of that. I took 5th while Jessica took 4th so it was a fun switch aroo. and thats that. we'll be having another competition on the 7th of November and the following week after that! We'll be getting new costumes hopefully, with Jepp/s Design. They are the best!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Last weekend we had general conference. I really loved it, and I had such a nice weekend. Monica came and visited us for the weekend. So she and I hung out during the priesthood session (went shoe shopping!) and we just played around. I didn't really get any school work done, but who ever does?
I'm enjoying Singers so much. I've told Raimo many times that there is just something that I get from music that I don't experience with other hobbies, i.e. dance. Singing just makes me a happier person.
Speaking of Raimo, he is sick with a cold right now. I feel bad that he still has to go to school. Hopefully it will go away quickly!
This weekend we're going to Vegas to meet up with our family. I've only seen them twice since Christmas, and even those trips were really brief. I am getting excited to go for a nice long drive with my honey! It's my favorite. It will also be fun to see all our Vegas friends while we're there. Thank you Berkeley for taking my Saturday shift!
Life is great right now. Love it.
I'm enjoying Singers so much. I've told Raimo many times that there is just something that I get from music that I don't experience with other hobbies, i.e. dance. Singing just makes me a happier person.
Speaking of Raimo, he is sick with a cold right now. I feel bad that he still has to go to school. Hopefully it will go away quickly!
This weekend we're going to Vegas to meet up with our family. I've only seen them twice since Christmas, and even those trips were really brief. I am getting excited to go for a nice long drive with my honey! It's my favorite. It will also be fun to see all our Vegas friends while we're there. Thank you Berkeley for taking my Saturday shift!
Life is great right now. Love it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)